Audi Q2 to start at £20,230 29 | 06 | 2016

AUDI’S NEW Q2 compact SUV will start at £20,230 when it goes on-sale at Scottish dealerships in August: first deliveries are scheduled for November,

Marc Lichte, head of Audi Design, believes the new model — which will join the currently three-strong Audi Q range — will appeal to a younger audience. As a result, Audi has combined this goal with a quality of finish and a portfolio of connectivity, infotainment and assistance systems that will be instantly familiar from the larger Audi models.

There’s no denying the Q2 has a look of its own. At the front, a strong image is created by the high-mounted Singleframe grille in octagonal design as well as the large air inlets. Three’s also a low roof that descends and merges into the C-pillars with colour offset blades. The rear body terminates in a dynamic way with a long roof spoiler and a diffuser that has an underbody-protection look.
The Q2 measures 1.51 metres tall and 1.79 metres wide. The overhangs are short with a vehicle length of 4.19 metres and a wheelbase of 2.60 metres.

Along with the optional Audi virtual cockpit and the head-up display, the driver assistance systems for the Audi Q2 also come from the larger Audi models – including the Audi pre sense front with pedestrian recognition that is standard.

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The system recognises critical situations with other vehicles as well as pedestrians crossing in front of the vehicle, and if necessary it can initiate hard braking – to a standstill at low speeds. Other systems in the line-up: adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, traffic jam assist, the lane-departure warning system Audi side assist, the lane-keeping assistant Audi active lane assist, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic assist.

The Q2 is equipped with a standard MMI screen that is positioned high on the instrument panel. The infotainment system can be operated by a rotary/push-button control and two buttons on the centre tunnel. When MMI navigation plus with MMI touch is ordered, the user also gets a touchpad on the central control element. In addition, the system can be conveniently controlled by natural language operation and the integrated MMI search. Customers can use MMI touch to query the online services of Audi connect. The flat rate data plan required for this is included thanks to the SIM card (embedded SIM) that is permanently installed in the car. It also permits roaming in most European countries.

Mobile phones with iOS and Android operating systems are integrated into the car via the standard Audi smartphone interface.

The free Audi MMI connect app enables online media streaming and transfer of a calendar from a smartphone to the MMI. The app for iOS operating systems also has the myAudi destinations function.

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It makes it possible to send the data of a desired navigation destination from any app to the MMI navigation plus system. The system then uses it for navigation.

The Q2 fulfils the fundamental expectations of an SUV with a high entry, good visibility and a large luggage compartment (405 to 1,050 litres of capacity), yet the driver’s seat position is low in relation to the steering wheel as in an Audi saloon. Optional practical solutions are available such as a power tailgate and a three-way split rear bench backrest with cargo through-loading.

Individual customisation

As you’d expect, there will be a seriously high number of ‘personal packages’ available with the Q2, including exterior colours and expressive colours for interior trim and seat upholstery. Another option is the LED lighting package advanced, in which the interior is staged in a particularly attractive way with illuminated trim elements. Newly designed 16-inch alloys are fitted as standard, and can be optionally increased to 19in. 

The Q2 is launching in the UK with an initial choice of two four-cylinder engines — the 1.6TDI with 115PS, and the Cylinder-on-Demand 1.4TFSI with 150PS. A three-cylinder 1.0TFSI with 115PS and a four-cylinder 2.0TDI with 150PS will become available later in the year.

As an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission, Audi will also offer the S tronic dual clutch transmission with seven speeds for all engines bar the 1.0TFSI (standard for the 2.0TDI).

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From mid-2017 a 2.0TFSI petrol engine allied exclusively to quattro all-wheel-drive and S tronic transmission will be introduced, and at that point it will also be possible to combine the 150PS TDI and TFSI engines with quattro drive.

Installed at the rear on the front-wheel drive versions is a semi-independent suspension, while the quattro models have a four-link suspension. Progressive steering is standard in all versions.

It varies the steering gear ratio as a function of the steering input; the ratio is made more direct with large steering movements. Adaptive dampers are available as an option, as is the Audi drive select system with which drivers can set an individual characteristic for their Q2.

Three specification levels are available from launch on the new Q2, with entry-level SE versions benefitting from a raft of features as standard. Among them is the Audi smartphone interface, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto displayed via the MMI screen once a phone is plugged in via USB. A Bluetooth interface is also standard, as is the MMI radio plus with MMI controller and heated, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors. Inlays can be chosen in either white or orange.

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For an additional £1550, Sport models gain 17in alloys (up from 16in on SE), Audi drive select with five operational modes, cruise control, light and rain sensors and sport seats upholstered in cloth. SD-card based MMI navigation is displayed via the seven-inch central screen and includes a three-month trial unlocking the Audi connect portfolio.

Red or yellow inlays can be selected for the interior, while bumpers can be specified in Manhattan grey or matching body colour depending on preference.

Stand-out features on S line models – priced at £2250 above Sport – include the hallmark front, side and rear styling enhancements, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps with LED rear lights and dynamic sweeping rear indicators, LED interior lighting, inlays finished in brushed aluminium and front sport seats upholstered in cloth/leather upholstery with S embossing on the backrests. A multi-function perforated leather steering wheel is also standard, featuring grey contrasting stitching and S line badging.

An exclusive Q2 design feature is the contrasting blade on the C-pillars. On SE it is finished in Manhattan grey, in Ice silver on Sport and matt Titanium grey for S line models. All of these colours are optionally interchangeable and Ibis white is also separately available.

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Jim McGill